§ 20. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will inquire into the circumstances which caused a helicopter, escorted by a Royal Air Force Shackleton, to fly from Aldergrove airport in Northern Ireland to the Island of Coll in order to transport a patient requiring urgent surgical treatment to the Island of Tiree whence she was taken by Heron ambulance to Renfrew Airport and thence to a Glasgow hospital for an operation; and by what methods he proposes to improve the medical service provided for the people of Coll.
§ Mr. MaclayThis joint operation was carried out under arrangements recently concluded with the Admiralty and Air Force to provide improved air ambulance cover to the six islands from which the service by Heron was withdrawn in February of this year. I am satisfied that these arrangements, of which I am sending details to the hon. Member, are the best that can be made at present.